Everything You Need to Know About Your Wedding Makeup Trial

Your makeup trial isn't (or at least shouldn't be!) a free-for-all. So many brides make the mistake of going into the pre-wedding glam session with only a vague notion of what she wants her bridal beauty look to be like. Unfortunately, that can lead to a major miscommunication between you and your makeup artist, making it even harder to nail down exactly what you're looking for. After all, terms like "natural makeup" and "smoky eyes" mean different things to different brides and glam squads. That's why it's imperative to make the most of your time together before the big day.

That doesn't mean that you need to have every single aspect of your bridal beauty look figured out before you sit down in your makeup artist's chair. But, like most aspects of wedding planning, it's important to do your research. Combing through Pinterest, browsing your favorite beauty bloggers feeds, or searching through your celebrity icon's best makeup moments should all be part of your homework. When you and your makeup artist do finally come together, you'll be collaborating on your bridal look—not guessing your way through it.

If you're a beauty newbie or don't wear much makeup in real life, this part of the planning process can be the most overwhelming. That's why we turned to two pros—Laura Gellar, founder of her eponymous cosmetics line, and Claire Balest, a Tennessee-based makeup artist—to help us corral a list of tips that will help you feel prepared for and in control of your beauty run-through. From using products that you turn to every day, to a surefire way to make eyes look bigger and brighter, these tricks virtually guarantee that you'll love what you see in the mirror on the big day.

Your organic BB cream? That eye shadow that makes your eyes sparkle? An allergen-free moisturizer? Ask your makeup pro if she can work with your everyday favorites, since they'll help you feel more like you on a day that's usually much more glam than everyday life.

"Natural makeup" can mean anything from minimal cosmetics to a bronzy metallic tone. Same for smoky eyes, which can vary in their intensity. Bring photos to illustrate your vision, rather than relying on vague descriptions.

Don't be afraid to stray from your plan. Not everyone can pull off a white frock without looking washed out, so you may need to bump up the tones. "Allow your makeup artist the freedom to take you a little outside your comfort zone," said Balest. "You might just love the direction."

Yes, you'll need a bit more color than you normally wear, but layers of makeup can look overdone and feel uncomfortable. If it feels heavy and caked-on, ask your makeup artist to sheer out the texture.

Take Notes and Pictures

Once you've settled on a look, document it! "It's not unusual for an artist to forget what was agreed upon at the trial," explained Geller. Make a list of every product used, and send it to the artist a week before the wedding. Snap selfies for reference, too.